Update BuildWithLatestWinAppSdkDaily pipeline (#45555)

<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request
This pull request introduces an "artifact-based" mode for consuming the
Windows App SDK in CI pipelines, allowing builds to use NuGet packages
directly from Azure DevOps pipeline artifacts instead of public/internal
feeds. This is achieved by adding new parameters and logic to pipeline
YAML and PowerShell scripts, supporting scenarios where packages are not
yet published to a feed. The changes also improve robustness when
updating package versions and add documentation for authentication
requirements.

These changes make the pipeline more flexible and robust, enabling
builds to consume unreleased or pre-release packages directly from CI
artifacts, which is especially useful for testing and validation
scenarios.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist

- [ ] Closes: #xxx
<!-- - [ ] Closes: #yyy (add separate lines for additional resolved
issues) -->
- [x] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [x] **Tests:** Added/updated and all pass
- [ ] **Localization:** All end-user-facing strings can be localized
- [ ] **Dev docs:** Added/updated
- [ ] **New binaries:** Added on the required places
- [ ] [JSON for
signing](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ESRPSigning_core.json)
for new binaries
- [ ] [WXS for
installer](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/installer/PowerToysSetup/Product.wxs)
for new binaries and localization folder
- [ ] [YML for CI
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ci/templates/build-powertoys-steps.yml)
for new test projects
- [ ] [YML for signed
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/release.yml)
- [ ] **Documentation updated:** If checked, please file a pull request
on [our docs
repo](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-uwp/tree/docs/hub/powertoys)
and link it here: #xxx

<!-- Provide a more detailed description of the PR, other things fixed,
or any additional comments/features here -->
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments

<!-- Describe how you validated the behavior. Add automated tests
wherever possible, but list manual validation steps taken as well -->
## Validation Steps Performed

.github/actions/spell-check/expect.txt

@@ -1072,6 +1072,7 @@ Metacharacter
 metadatamatters
 Metadatas
 metafile
+metapackage
 mfc
 Mgmt
 Microwaved

.pipelines/UpdateVersions.ps1

@@ -13,9 +13,36 @@ Param(
 
   # Root folder Path for processing
   [Parameter(Mandatory=$False,Position=4)]
-  [string]$sourceLink = "https://microsoft.pkgs.visualstudio.com/ProjectReunion/_packaging/Project.Reunion.nuget.internal/nuget/v3/index.json"
+  [string]$sourceLink = "https://microsoft.pkgs.visualstudio.com/ProjectReunion/_packaging/Project.Reunion.nuget.internal/nuget/v3/index.json",
+
+  # Use Azure Pipeline artifact as source for metapackage
+  [Parameter(Mandatory=$False,Position=5)]
+  [boolean]$useArtifactSource = $False,
+
+  # Azure DevOps organization URL
+  [Parameter(Mandatory=$False,Position=6)]
+  [string]$azureDevOpsOrg = "https://dev.azure.com/microsoft",
+
+  # Azure DevOps project name
+  [Parameter(Mandatory=$False,Position=7)]
+  [string]$azureDevOpsProject = "ProjectReunion",
+
+  # Pipeline build ID (or "latest" for latest build)
+  [Parameter(Mandatory=$False,Position=8)]
+  [string]$buildId = "",
+
+  # Artifact name containing the NuGet packages
+  [Parameter(Mandatory=$False,Position=9)]
+  [string]$artifactName = "WindowsAppSDK_Nuget_And_MSIX",
+
+  # Metapackage name to look for in artifact
+  [Parameter(Mandatory=$False,Position=10)]
+  [string]$metaPackageName = "Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK"
 )
 
+# Script-level constants
+$script:PackageVersionRegex = '^(.+?)\.(\d+\..*)$'
+
 
 
 function Read-FileWithEncoding {
@@ -57,7 +84,7 @@ function Add-NuGetSourceAndMapping {
 
     # Ensure packageSources exists
     if (-not $Xml.configuration.packageSources) {
-        $Xml.configuration.AppendChild($Xml.CreateElement("packageSources")) | Out-Null
+        $null = $Xml.configuration.AppendChild($Xml.CreateElement("packageSources"))
     }
     $sources = $Xml.configuration.packageSources
 
@@ -66,13 +93,13 @@ function Add-NuGetSourceAndMapping {
     if (-not $sourceNode) {
         $sourceNode = $Xml.CreateElement("add")
         $sourceNode.SetAttribute("key", $Key)
-        $sources.AppendChild($sourceNode) | Out-Null
+        $null = $sources.AppendChild($sourceNode)
     }
     $sourceNode.SetAttribute("value", $Value)
 
     # Ensure packageSourceMapping exists
     if (-not $Xml.configuration.packageSourceMapping) {
-        $Xml.configuration.AppendChild($Xml.CreateElement("packageSourceMapping")) | Out-Null
+        $null = $Xml.configuration.AppendChild($Xml.CreateElement("packageSourceMapping"))
     }
     $mapping = $Xml.configuration.packageSourceMapping
 
@@ -80,7 +107,7 @@ function Add-NuGetSourceAndMapping {
     $invalidNodes = $mapping.SelectNodes("packageSource[not(@key) or @key='']")
     if ($invalidNodes) {
         foreach ($node in $invalidNodes) {
-            $mapping.RemoveChild($node) | Out-Null
+            $null = $mapping.RemoveChild($node)
         }
     }
 
@@ -91,9 +118,9 @@ function Add-NuGetSourceAndMapping {
         $mappingSource.SetAttribute("key", $Key)
         # Insert at top for priority
         if ($mapping.HasChildNodes) {
-            $mapping.InsertBefore($mappingSource, $mapping.FirstChild) | Out-Null
+            $null = $mapping.InsertBefore($mappingSource, $mapping.FirstChild)
         } else {
-            $mapping.AppendChild($mappingSource) | Out-Null
+            $null = $mapping.AppendChild($mappingSource)
         }
     }
     
@@ -110,14 +137,273 @@ function Add-NuGetSourceAndMapping {
     foreach ($pattern in $Patterns) {
         $pkg = $Xml.CreateElement("package")
         $pkg.SetAttribute("pattern", $pattern)
-        $mappingSource.AppendChild($pkg) | Out-Null
+        $null = $mappingSource.AppendChild($pkg)
     }
 }
 
+function Download-ArtifactFromPipeline {
+    param (
+        [string]$Organization,
+        [string]$Project,
+        [string]$BuildId,
+        [string]$ArtifactName,
+        [string]$OutputDir
+    )
+
+    Write-Host "Downloading artifact '$ArtifactName' from build $BuildId..."
+    $null = New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $OutputDir -Force
+
+    try {
+        # Authenticate with Azure DevOps using System Access Token (if available)
+        if ($env:SYSTEM_ACCESSTOKEN) {
+            Write-Host "Authenticating with Azure DevOps using System Access Token..."
+            $env:AZURE_DEVOPS_EXT_PAT = $env:SYSTEM_ACCESSTOKEN
+        } else {
+            Write-Host "No SYSTEM_ACCESSTOKEN found, assuming az CLI is already authenticated..."
+        }
+
+        # Use az CLI to download artifact
+        & az pipelines runs artifact download `
+            --organization $Organization `
+            --project $Project `
+            --run-id $BuildId `
+            --artifact-name $ArtifactName `
+            --path $OutputDir
+
+        if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0) {
+            Write-Host "Successfully downloaded artifact to $OutputDir"
+            return $true
+        } else {
+            Write-Warning "Failed to download artifact. Exit code: $LASTEXITCODE"
+            return $false
+        }
+    } catch {
+        Write-Warning "Error downloading artifact: $_"
+        return $false
+    }
+}
+
+function Get-NuspecDependencies {
+    param (
+        [string]$NupkgPath,
+        [string]$TargetFramework = ""
+    )
+
+    $tempDir = Join-Path $env:TEMP "nuspec_parse_$(Get-Random)"
+
+    try {
+        # Extract .nupkg (it's a zip file)
+        # Workaround: Expand-Archive may not recognize .nupkg extension, so copy to .zip first
+        $tempZip = Join-Path $env:TEMP "temp_$(Get-Random).zip"
+        Copy-Item $NupkgPath -Destination $tempZip -Force
+        Expand-Archive -Path $tempZip -DestinationPath $tempDir -Force
+        Remove-Item $tempZip -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+
+        # Find .nuspec file
+        $nuspecFile = Get-ChildItem -Path $tempDir -Filter "*.nuspec" -Recurse | Select-Object -First 1
+
+        if (-not $nuspecFile) {
+            Write-Warning "No .nuspec file found in $NupkgPath"
+            return @{}
+        }
+
+        [xml]$nuspec = Get-Content $nuspecFile.FullName
+
+        # Extract package info
+        $packageId = $nuspec.package.metadata.id
+        $version = $nuspec.package.metadata.version
+        Write-Host "Parsing $packageId version $version"
+
+        # Parse dependencies
+        $dependencies = @{}
+        $depGroups = $nuspec.package.metadata.dependencies.group
+
+        if ($depGroups) {
+            # Dependencies are grouped by target framework
+            foreach ($group in $depGroups) {
+                $fx = $group.targetFramework
+                Write-Host "  Target Framework: $fx"
+
+                foreach ($dep in $group.dependency) {
+                    $depId = $dep.id
+                    $depVer = $dep.version
+                    # Remove version range brackets if present (e.g., "[2.0.0]" -> "2.0.0")
+                    $depVer = $depVer -replace '[\[\]]', ''
+                    $dependencies[$depId] = $depVer
+                    Write-Host "    - ${depId} : ${depVer}"
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            # No grouping, direct dependencies
+            $deps = $nuspec.package.metadata.dependencies.dependency
+            if ($deps) {
+                foreach ($dep in $deps) {
+                    $depId = $dep.id
+                    $depVer = $dep.version
+                    $depVer = $depVer -replace '[\[\]]', ''
+                    $dependencies[$depId] = $depVer
+                    Write-Host "  - ${depId} : ${depVer}"
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $dependencies
+    }
+    catch {
+        Write-Warning "Failed to parse nuspec: $_"
+        return @{}
+    }
+    finally {
+        Remove-Item $tempDir -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+    }
+}
+
+function Resolve-ArtifactBasedDependencies {
+    param (
+        [string]$ArtifactDir,
+        [string]$MetaPackageName,
+        [string]$SourceUrl,
+        [string]$OutputDir
+    )
+
+    Write-Host "Resolving dependencies from artifact-based metapackage..."
+    $null = New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $OutputDir -Force
+
+    # Find the metapackage in artifact
+    $metaNupkg = Get-ChildItem -Path $ArtifactDir -Recurse -Filter "$MetaPackageName.*.nupkg" |
+                 Where-Object { $_.Name -notmatch "Runtime" } |
+                 Select-Object -First 1
+
+    if (-not $metaNupkg) {
+        Write-Warning "Metapackage $MetaPackageName not found in artifact"
+        return @{}
+    }
+
+    # Extract version from filename
+    if ($metaNupkg.Name -match "$MetaPackageName\.(.+)\.nupkg") {
+        $metaVersion = $Matches[1]
+        Write-Host "Found metapackage: $MetaPackageName version $metaVersion"
+    } else {
+        Write-Warning "Could not extract version from $($metaNupkg.Name)"
+        return @{}
+    }
+
+    # Parse dependencies from metapackage
+    $dependencies = Get-NuspecDependencies -NupkgPath $metaNupkg.FullName
+
+    # Copy metapackage to output directory
+    Copy-Item $metaNupkg.FullName -Destination $OutputDir -Force
+    Write-Host "Copied metapackage to $OutputDir"
+
+    # Prepare package versions hashtable - initialize with metapackage version
+    $packageVersions = @{ $MetaPackageName = $metaVersion }
+
+    # Copy Runtime package from artifact (it's not in feed) and extract its version
+    $runtimeNupkg = Get-ChildItem -Path $ArtifactDir -Recurse -Filter "$MetaPackageName.Runtime.*.nupkg" | Select-Object -First 1
+    if ($runtimeNupkg) {
+        Copy-Item $runtimeNupkg.FullName -Destination $OutputDir -Force
+        Write-Host "Copied Runtime package to $OutputDir"
+
+        # Extract version from Runtime package filename
+        if ($runtimeNupkg.Name -match "$MetaPackageName\.Runtime\.(.+)\.nupkg") {
+            $runtimeVersion = $Matches[1]
+            $packageVersions["$MetaPackageName.Runtime"] = $runtimeVersion
+            Write-Host "Extracted Runtime package version: $runtimeVersion"
+        } else {
+            Write-Warning "Could not extract version from Runtime package: $($runtimeNupkg.Name)"
+        }
+    }
+
+    # Download other dependencies from feed (excluding Runtime as it's already copied)
+    # Create temp nuget.config that includes both local packages and remote feed
+    # This allows NuGet to find packages already copied from artifact
+    $tempConfig = Join-Path $env:TEMP "nuget_artifact_$(Get-Random).config"
+    $tempConfigContent = @"
+<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
+<configuration>
+  <packageSources>
+    <clear />
+    <add key='LocalPackages' value='$OutputDir' />
+    <add key='RemoteFeed' value='$SourceUrl' />
+  </packageSources>
+</configuration>
+"@
+    Set-Content -Path $tempConfig -Value $tempConfigContent
+
+    try {
+        foreach ($depId in $dependencies.Keys) {
+            # Skip Runtime as it's already copied from artifact
+            if ($depId -like "*Runtime*") {
+                # Don't overwrite the version we extracted from the Runtime package filename
+                if (-not $packageVersions.ContainsKey($depId)) {
+                    $packageVersions[$depId] = $dependencies[$depId]
+                }
+                Write-Host "Skipping $depId (already in artifact)"
+                continue
+            }
+
+            $depVersion = $dependencies[$depId]
+            Write-Host "Downloading dependency: $depId version $depVersion from feed..."
+
+            & nuget install $depId `
+                -Version $depVersion `
+                -ConfigFile $tempConfig `
+                -OutputDirectory $OutputDir `
+                -NonInteractive `
+                -NoCache `
+                | Out-Null
+
+            if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0) {
+                $packageVersions[$depId] = $depVersion
+                Write-Host "  Successfully downloaded $depId"
+            } else {
+                Write-Warning "  Failed to download $depId version $depVersion"
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    finally {
+        Remove-Item $tempConfig -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+    }
+
+    # Parse all downloaded packages to get actual versions
+    $directories = Get-ChildItem -Path $OutputDir -Directory
+    $allLocalPackages = @()
+
+    # Add metapackage and runtime to the list (they are .nupkg files, not directories)
+    $allLocalPackages += $MetaPackageName
+    if ($packageVersions.ContainsKey("$MetaPackageName.Runtime")) {
+        $allLocalPackages += "$MetaPackageName.Runtime"
+    }
+
+    foreach ($dir in $directories) {
+        if ($dir.Name -match $script:PackageVersionRegex) {
+            $pkgId = $Matches[1]
+            $pkgVer = $Matches[2]
+            $allLocalPackages += $pkgId
+            if (-not $packageVersions.ContainsKey($pkgId)) {
+                $packageVersions[$pkgId] = $pkgVer
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    # Update nuget.config dynamically during pipeline execution
+    # This modification is temporary and won't be committed back to the repo
+    $nugetConfig = Join-Path $rootPath "nuget.config"
+    $configData = Read-FileWithEncoding -Path $nugetConfig
+    [xml]$xml = $configData.Content
+
+    Add-NuGetSourceAndMapping -Xml $xml -Key "localpackages" -Value $OutputDir -Patterns $allLocalPackages
+
+    $xml.Save($nugetConfig)
+    Write-Host "Updated nuget.config with localpackages mapping (temporary, for pipeline execution only)."
+
+    return ,$packageVersions
+}
+
 function Resolve-WinAppSdkSplitDependencies {
     Write-Host "Version $WinAppSDKVersion detected. Resolving split dependencies..."
     $installDir = Join-Path $rootPath "localpackages\output"
-    New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $installDir -Force | Out-Null
+    $null = New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $installDir -Force
 
     # Create a temporary nuget.config to avoid interference from the repo's config
     $tempConfig = Join-Path $env:TEMP "nuget_$(Get-Random).config"
@@ -131,14 +417,24 @@ function Resolve-WinAppSdkSplitDependencies {
             if ($propsContent -match '<PackageVersion Include="Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools" Version="([^"]+)"') {
                 $buildToolsVersion = $Matches[1]
                 Write-Host "Downloading Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools version $buildToolsVersion..."
-                $nugetArgsBuildTools = "install Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools -Version $buildToolsVersion -ConfigFile $tempConfig -OutputDirectory $installDir -NonInteractive -NoCache"
-                Invoke-Expression "nuget $nugetArgsBuildTools" | Out-Null
+                & nuget install Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools `
+                    -Version $buildToolsVersion `
+                    -ConfigFile $tempConfig `
+                    -OutputDirectory $installDir `
+                    -NonInteractive `
+                    -NoCache `
+                    | Out-Null
             }
         }
 
         # Download package to inspect nuspec and keep it for the build
-        $nugetArgs = "install Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK -Version $WinAppSDKVersion -ConfigFile $tempConfig -OutputDirectory $installDir -NonInteractive -NoCache"
-        Invoke-Expression "nuget $nugetArgs" | Out-Null
+        & nuget install Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK `
+            -Version $WinAppSDKVersion `
+            -ConfigFile $tempConfig `
+            -OutputDirectory $installDir `
+            -NonInteractive `
+            -NoCache `
+            | Out-Null
 
         # Parse dependencies from the installed folders
         # Folder structure is typically {PackageId}.{Version}
@@ -172,52 +468,101 @@ function Resolve-WinAppSdkSplitDependencies {
     }
 }
 
-# Execute nuget list and capture the output
-if ($useExperimentalVersion) {
-    # The nuget list for experimental versions will cost more time
-    # So, we will not use -AllVersions to wast time
-    # But it can only get the latest experimental version
-    Write-Host "Fetching WindowsAppSDK with experimental versions"
-    $nugetOutput = nuget list Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK `
-        -Source  $sourceLink `
-        -Prerelease
-    # Filter versions based on the specified version prefix
-    $escapedVersionNumber = [regex]::Escape($winAppSdkVersionNumber)
-    $filteredVersions = $nugetOutput | Where-Object { $_ -match "Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK $escapedVersionNumber\." }
-    $latestVersions = $filteredVersions
-} else {
-    Write-Host "Fetching stable WindowsAppSDK versions for $winAppSdkVersionNumber"
-    $nugetOutput = nuget list Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK `
-        -Source $sourceLink `
-        -AllVersions
-    # Filter versions based on the specified version prefix
-    $escapedVersionNumber = [regex]::Escape($winAppSdkVersionNumber)
-    $filteredVersions = $nugetOutput | Where-Object { $_ -match "Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK $escapedVersionNumber\." }
-    $latestVersions = $filteredVersions | Sort-Object { [version]($_ -split ' ')[1] } -Descending | Select-Object -First 1
-}
+# Main logic: choose between artifact-based or feed-based approach
+if ($useArtifactSource) {
+    Write-Host "=== Using Artifact-Based Source ===" -ForegroundColor Cyan
+    Write-Host "Organization: $azureDevOpsOrg"
+    Write-Host "Project: $azureDevOpsProject"
+    Write-Host "Build ID: $buildId"
+    Write-Host "Artifact: $artifactName"
 
-Write-Host "Latest versions found: $latestVersions"
-# Extract the latest version number from the output
-$latestVersion = $latestVersions -split "`n" | `
-    Select-String -Pattern 'Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK\s*([0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+-*[a-zA-Z0-9]*)' | `
-    ForEach-Object { $_.Matches[0].Groups[1].Value } | `
-    Sort-Object -Descending | `
-    Select-Object -First 1
+    if ([string]::IsNullOrEmpty($buildId) -or $buildId -eq 'N/A') {
+        Write-Error "buildId parameter is required when using artifact source. Please provide a valid Windows App SDK Build ID."
+        Write-Host "Tip: You can find the build ID from the Windows App SDK pipeline run in Azure DevOps."
+        exit 1
+    }
 
-if ($latestVersion) {
-    $WinAppSDKVersion = $latestVersion
-    Write-Host "Extracted version: $WinAppSDKVersion"
+    # Download artifact
+    $artifactDir = Join-Path $rootPath "localpackages\artifact"
+    $downloadSuccess = Download-ArtifactFromPipeline `
+        -Organization $azureDevOpsOrg `
+        -Project $azureDevOpsProject `
+        -BuildId $buildId `
+        -ArtifactName $artifactName `
+        -OutputDir $artifactDir
+
+    if (-not $downloadSuccess) {
+        Write-Host "Failed to download artifact"
+        exit 1
+    }
+
+    # Resolve dependencies from artifact
+    $installDir = Join-Path $rootPath "localpackages\output"
+    $packageVersions = Resolve-ArtifactBasedDependencies `
+        -ArtifactDir $artifactDir `
+        -MetaPackageName $metaPackageName `
+        -SourceUrl $sourceLink `
+        -OutputDir $installDir
+
+    if ($packageVersions.Count -eq 0) {
+        Write-Error "Failed to resolve dependencies from artifact"
+        exit 1
+    }
+
+    $WinAppSDKVersion = $packageVersions[$metaPackageName]
+    Write-Host "WinAppSDK Version: $WinAppSDKVersion"
     Write-Host "##vso[task.setvariable variable=WinAppSDKVersion]$WinAppSDKVersion"
+
 } else {
-    Write-Host "Failed to extract version number from nuget list output"
-    exit 1
+    Write-Host "=== Using Feed-Based Source ===" -ForegroundColor Cyan
+
+    # Execute nuget list and capture the output
+    if ($useExperimentalVersion) {
+        # The nuget list for experimental versions will cost more time
+        # So, we will not use -AllVersions to wast time
+        # But it can only get the latest experimental version
+        Write-Host "Fetching WindowsAppSDK with experimental versions"
+        $nugetOutput = nuget list Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK `
+            -Source  $sourceLink `
+            -Prerelease
+        # Filter versions based on the specified version prefix
+        $escapedVersionNumber = [regex]::Escape($winAppSdkVersionNumber)
+        $filteredVersions = $nugetOutput | Where-Object { $_ -match "Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK $escapedVersionNumber\." }
+        $latestVersions = $filteredVersions
+    } else {
+        Write-Host "Fetching stable WindowsAppSDK versions for $winAppSdkVersionNumber"
+        $nugetOutput = nuget list Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK `
+            -Source $sourceLink `
+            -AllVersions
+        # Filter versions based on the specified version prefix
+        $escapedVersionNumber = [regex]::Escape($winAppSdkVersionNumber)
+        $filteredVersions = $nugetOutput | Where-Object { $_ -match "Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK $escapedVersionNumber\." }
+        $latestVersions = $filteredVersions | Sort-Object { [version]($_ -split ' ')[1] } -Descending | Select-Object -First 1
+    }
+
+    Write-Host "Latest versions found: $latestVersions"
+    # Extract the latest version number from the output
+    $latestVersion = $latestVersions -split "`n" | `
+        Select-String -Pattern 'Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK\s*([0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+-*[a-zA-Z0-9]*)' | `
+        ForEach-Object { $_.Matches[0].Groups[1].Value } | `
+        Sort-Object -Descending | `
+        Select-Object -First 1
+
+    if ($latestVersion) {
+        $WinAppSDKVersion = $latestVersion
+        Write-Host "Extracted version: $WinAppSDKVersion"
+        Write-Host "##vso[task.setvariable variable=WinAppSDKVersion]$WinAppSDKVersion"
+    } else {
+        Write-Host "Failed to extract version number from nuget list output"
+        exit 1
+    }
+
+    # Resolve dependencies for 1.8+
+    $packageVersions = @{ "Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK" = $WinAppSDKVersion }
+
+    Resolve-WinAppSdkSplitDependencies
 }
 
-# Resolve dependencies for 1.8+
-$packageVersions = @{ "Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK" = $WinAppSDKVersion }
-
-Resolve-WinAppSdkSplitDependencies
-
 # Update Directory.Packages.props file
 Get-ChildItem -Path $rootPath -Recurse "Directory.Packages.props" | ForEach-Object {
     $file = Read-FileWithEncoding -Path $_.FullName
@@ -226,9 +571,16 @@ Get-ChildItem -Path $rootPath -Recurse "Directory.Packages.props" | ForEach-Obje
     
     foreach ($pkgId in $packageVersions.Keys) {
         $ver = $packageVersions[$pkgId]
+
+        # Skip packages with empty versions to prevent corruption
+        if ([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($ver)) {
+            Write-Warning "Skipping ${pkgId}: version is empty"
+            continue
+        }
+
         # Escape dots in package ID for regex
         $pkgIdRegex = $pkgId -replace '\.', '\.'
-        
+
         $newVersionString = "<PackageVersion Include=""$pkgId"" Version=""$ver"" />"
         $oldVersionString = "<PackageVersion Include=""$pkgIdRegex"" Version=""[-.0-9a-zA-Z]*"" />"
 

.pipelines/v2/ci-using-the-latest-winappsdk.yml

@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+# NOTE: When using artifact mode (useArtifactSource: true), the pipeline needs
+# permission to access System.AccessToken. This is automatically handled by the
+# script if SYSTEM_ACCESSTOKEN environment variable is available.
+# If you encounter authentication errors, ensure the job has oauth access enabled.
+
 trigger: none
 pr: none
 schedules:
@@ -37,6 +42,23 @@ parameters:
   - name: useExperimentalVersion
     type: boolean
     default: false
+  # Artifact mode parameters (optional)
+  - name: useArtifactSource
+    type: boolean
+    displayName: "Use Artifact Source (instead of feed)"
+    default: false
+  - name: buildId
+    type: string
+    displayName: "Windows App SDK Build ID (required only if using artifact source)"
+    default: 'N/A'
+  - name: azureDevOpsProject
+    type: string
+    displayName: "Source Project (for artifact mode, default: ProjectReunion)"
+    default: 'ProjectReunion'
+  - name: artifactName
+    type: string
+    displayName: "Artifact Name (for artifact mode, default: WindowsAppSDK_Nuget_And_MSIX)"
+    default: 'WindowsAppSDK_Nuget_And_MSIX'
 
 extends:
   template: templates/pipeline-ci-build.yml
@@ -49,3 +71,7 @@ extends:
     useLatestWinAppSDK: ${{ parameters.useLatestWinAppSDK }}
     winAppSDKVersionNumber: ${{ parameters.winAppSDKVersionNumber }}
     useExperimentalVersion: ${{ parameters.useExperimentalVersion }}
+    useArtifactSource: ${{ parameters.useArtifactSource }}
+    buildId: ${{ parameters.buildId }}
+    azureDevOpsProject: ${{ parameters.azureDevOpsProject }}
+    artifactName: ${{ parameters.artifactName }}

.pipelines/v2/templates/job-build-project.yml

@@ -74,6 +74,25 @@ parameters:
   - name: useExperimentalVersion
     type: boolean
     default: false
+  # Artifact mode parameters
+  - name: useArtifactSource
+    type: boolean
+    default: false
+  - name: azureDevOpsOrg
+    type: string
+    default: 'https://dev.azure.com/microsoft'
+  - name: azureDevOpsProject
+    type: string
+    default: 'ProjectReunion'
+  - name: buildId
+    type: string
+    default: ''
+  - name: artifactName
+    type: string
+    default: 'WindowsAppSDK_Nuget_And_MSIX'
+  - name: metaPackageName
+    type: string
+    default: 'Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK'
   - name: csProjectsToPublish
     type: object
     default:
@@ -226,6 +245,12 @@ jobs:
       parameters:
         versionNumber: ${{ parameters.winAppSDKVersionNumber }}
         useExperimentalVersion: ${{ parameters.useExperimentalVersion }}
+        useArtifactSource: ${{ parameters.useArtifactSource }}
+        azureDevOpsOrg: ${{ parameters.azureDevOpsOrg }}
+        azureDevOpsProject: ${{ parameters.azureDevOpsProject }}
+        buildId: ${{ parameters.buildId }}
+        artifactName: ${{ parameters.artifactName }}
+        metaPackageName: ${{ parameters.metaPackageName }}
   
   - ${{ if eq(parameters.useLatestWinAppSDK, false)}}:
     - template: .\steps-restore-nuget.yml

.pipelines/v2/templates/pipeline-ci-build.yml

@@ -34,6 +34,25 @@ parameters:
   - name: useExperimentalVersion
     type: boolean
     default: false
+  # Artifact mode parameters
+  - name: useArtifactSource
+    type: boolean
+    default: false
+  - name: azureDevOpsOrg
+    type: string
+    default: 'https://dev.azure.com/microsoft'
+  - name: azureDevOpsProject
+    type: string
+    default: 'ProjectReunion'
+  - name: buildId
+    type: string
+    default: ''
+  - name: artifactName
+    type: string
+    default: 'WindowsAppSDK_Nuget_And_MSIX'
+  - name: metaPackageName
+    type: string
+    default: 'Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK'
 
 stages:
   - ${{ each platform in parameters.buildPlatforms }}:
@@ -65,6 +84,12 @@ stages:
             ${{ if eq(parameters.useLatestWinAppSDK, true) }}:
               winAppSDKVersionNumber: ${{ parameters.winAppSDKVersionNumber }}
               useExperimentalVersion: ${{ parameters.useExperimentalVersion }}
+              useArtifactSource: ${{ parameters.useArtifactSource }}
+              azureDevOpsOrg: ${{ parameters.azureDevOpsOrg }}
+              azureDevOpsProject: ${{ parameters.azureDevOpsProject }}
+              buildId: ${{ parameters.buildId }}
+              artifactName: ${{ parameters.artifactName }}
+              metaPackageName: ${{ parameters.metaPackageName }}
             timeoutInMinutes: 90
 
   - stage: Build_SDK

.pipelines/v2/templates/steps-update-winappsdk-and-restore-nuget.yml

@@ -5,6 +5,25 @@ parameters:
   - name: useExperimentalVersion
     type: boolean
     default: false
+  # Artifact mode parameters
+  - name: useArtifactSource
+    type: boolean
+    default: false
+  - name: azureDevOpsOrg
+    type: string
+    default: 'https://dev.azure.com/microsoft'
+  - name: azureDevOpsProject
+    type: string
+    default: 'ProjectReunion'
+  - name: buildId
+    type: string
+    default: ''
+  - name: artifactName
+    type: string
+    default: 'WindowsAppSDK_Nuget_And_MSIX'
+  - name: metaPackageName
+    type: string
+    default: 'Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK'
 
 steps:
 - task: NuGetAuthenticate@1
@@ -12,12 +31,20 @@ steps:
 
 - task: PowerShell@2
   displayName: Update WinAppSDK Versions
+  env:
+    SYSTEM_ACCESSTOKEN: $(System.AccessToken)
   inputs:
     filePath: '$(build.sourcesdirectory)\.pipelines\UpdateVersions.ps1'
     arguments: >
       -winAppSdkVersionNumber ${{ parameters.versionNumber }}
       -useExperimentalVersion $${{ parameters.useExperimentalVersion }}
       -rootPath "$(build.sourcesdirectory)"
+      -useArtifactSource $${{ parameters.useArtifactSource }}
+      -azureDevOpsOrg "${{ parameters.azureDevOpsOrg }}"
+      -azureDevOpsProject "${{ parameters.azureDevOpsProject }}"
+      -buildId "${{ parameters.buildId }}"
+      -artifactName "${{ parameters.artifactName }}"
+      -metaPackageName "${{ parameters.metaPackageName }}"
 
 # - task: NuGetCommand@2
 #   displayName: 'Restore NuGet packages (slnx)'
@@ -36,3 +63,4 @@ steps:
     feedsToUse: 'config'
     nugetConfigPath: '$(build.sourcesdirectory)\nuget.config'
     workingDirectory: '$(build.sourcesdirectory)'
+    arguments: '/p:NoWarn=NU1602,NU1604'